Trauma, scars and/or chronic inflammation have been reported as underlying causes of skin cancers in occasional cases. Tattooing is a traumatizing procedure characterized by the introduction of exogenous pigment in the dermis by puncturing the skin. Even though cases of malignancies such as melanoma, basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas and keratoacanthomas have been reported for the past 40 years, it remains unclear what role tattoos play in their pathogenesis. We report here 2 new cases and wish to discuss the arguments and counter-arguments for such a potential relationship.

1.
Kaskel P, Kind P, Sander S, Peter RU, Krähn G: Trauma and melanoma formation: a true association? Br J Dermatol 2000;143:749–753.
2.
Brouard M, Kaya G, Vecchietti G, Chavaz P, Harms M: Basal cell carcinoma of the earlobe after auricular acupuncture. Dermatology 2002;204:142–144.
3.
Ozyazgan I, Kontas O: Previous injuries or scars as risk factors for the development of basal cell carcinoma. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg 2004;38:11–15.
4.
Kowal-Vern A, Criswell BK: Burn scar neoplasms: a literature review and statistical analysis. Burns 2005;31:403–413.
5.
Paradisi A, Capizzi R, De Simone C, Fossati B, Proietti I, Amerio PL: Malignant melanoma in a tattoo: case report and review of the literature. Melanoma Res 2006;16:375–376.
6.
Shariff Z, Tehrani H, Jagadeesan J, Hardwicke J: Artwork: to be studied. Dermatol Online J 2006;12:21.
7.
Singh RS, Hafeez Diwan A, Prieto VG: Potential diagnostic pitfalls in melanoma arising in a cutaneous tattoo. Histopathology 2007;51:283–285.
8.
Bashir AH: Basal cell carcinoma in tattoos: report of two cases. Br J Plast Surg 1976;29:288–290.
9.
Earley MJ: Basal cell carcinoma arising in tattoos: a clinical report of two cases. Br J Plast Surg 1983;36:258–259.
10.
Wiener DA, Scher RK: Basal cell carcinoma arising in a tattoo. Cutis 1987;39:125–126.
11.
Doumat F, Kaise W, Barbaud A, Schmutz JL: Basal cell carcinoma in a tattoo. Dermatology 2004;208:181–182.
12.
Birnie AJ, Kulkarni K, Varma S: Basal cell carcinoma arising in a tattoo. Clin Exp Dermatol 2006;31:820–821.
13.
MacQuarrie DG: An unusual breast cancer: squamous cell carcinoma arising in a tattoo. Minn Med 1966;49:799–801.
14.
Pitarch G, Martinez-Menchon T, Martinez-Aparicio A, Sanchez-Carazo JL, Munoz D, Fortea JM: Squamous cell carcinoma over tattoos. J Am Acad Dermatol 2007;56:1072–1073.
15.
Cipollaro VA: Keratoacanthoma developing in a tattoo. Cutis 1973;11:809–810.
16.
Goldstein N: IV. Complications from tattoos. J Dermatol Surg Oncol 1979;5:869–878.
17.
Kleinerman R, Greenspan A, Hale EK: Mohs micrographic surgery for an unusual case of keratoacanthoma arising from a longstanding tattoo. J Drugs Dermatol 2007;6:931–932.
18.
Kluger N, Minier-Thoumin C, Plantier F: Keratoacanthoma occurring within the red dye of a tattoo. J Cutan Pathol 2008;35:504–507.
19.
Goldenberg G, Patel S, Patel MJ, Williford P, Sangueza O: Eruptive squamous cell carcinomas, keratoacanthoma type, arising in a multicolor tattoo. J Cutan Pathol 2008;35:62–64.
20.
Müller KM, Schmitz I, Hupe-Nörenberg L: Reaction patterns to cutaneous particulate and ornamental tattoos. Pathologe 2002;23:46–53.
21.
Pattee SF, Silvis NG: Keratoacanthoma developing in sites of previous trauma: a report of two cases and review of the literature. J Am Acad Dermatol 2003;48:S35–S38.
22.
Bäumler W, Vasold R, Lundsgaard J, Talberg HJ: Chemical used in tattooing and permanent make up products; in Papameletiou D, Schwela D, Zenie A (eds): Workshop on Technical/Scientific and Regulatory Issues on the Safety of Tattoos, Body Piercing and of Related Practices. European Commission. Ispra, VA, 2003, pp 21–36.
23.
Engel E, Santarelli F, Vasold R, Ulrich H, Maisch T, Konig B, Landthaler M, Gopee NV, Howard PC, Bäumler W: Establishment of an extraction method for the recovery of tattoo pigments from human skin using HPLC diode array detector technology. Anal Chem 2006;78:6440–6447.
24.
Engel E, Ulrich H, Vasold R, König B, Landthaler M, Süttinger R, Bäumler W: Azo pigments and a basal cell carcinoma at the thumb. Dermatology 2008;216:76–80.
25.
Engel E, Spannberger A, Vasold R, König B, Landthaler M, Bäumler W: Photochemical cleavage of a tattoo pigment by UVB radiation or natural sunlight. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2007;5:583–589.
26.
Sperry K: Tattoos and tattooing. Part II: Gross pathology, histopathology, medical complications, and applications. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 1992;13:7–17.
27.
Christenson LJ, Borrowman TA, Vachon CM, Tollefson MM, Otley CC, Weaver AL, Roenigk RK: Incidence of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas in a population younger than 40 years. JAMA 2005;294: 681–690.
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.